I do not own any of these characters, though I do own the idea! CC Wanted!!

Chapter 1:: The Letter

Today was a blissfully warm and generally lovely day as Harry made his way to the exit of platform 9 ¾. Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts had just ended. As usual, Gryffindor had won the house cup, and the Quidditch tournament. It seemed to almost be a given that Gryffindor would win the house cup and the Quidditch tournament, Gryffindor had won both of those many consecutive years in a row.

Following close behind Harry; Hermoine and Ron were bickering as per usual about something that wouldn't matter to most people, but it seemed to matter to them so Harry said nothing, he just let out a small sigh, smiled, and shook his head at them.

Hermoine stopped abruptly beside Ron and huffed, "Honestly Ron, is there even the slightest chance that you could stop rubbing it in that you got the position of Head Boy next year and I didn't get Head Girl?"

Ron stopped to think for a while, and took a deep breath and much to Hermoine's disappointment said, "Not likely Hermoine." and he flashed a radiant smile in her direction then turned his attention to Harry, who was a good few paces ahead of them and jogged up beside him.

"Ron, you really should stop being so insufferably rude to her." Harry laughed.

"Why? I love it when her cheeks go that lovely shade of pink when she gets mad at me – it's cute." Ron smirked. Harry rolled his eyes and sighed. "What was that for Harry?"

"Nothing Ron, nothing."

Ron and Hermoine had finally started dating during their sixth year, and had the same relationship they had before they were dating, but with the addition of make-up kisses, romance, and a slightly larger tolerance for each others attitudes.

Hermoine decided to brush off Ron's response to her question and walked towards Harry and Ron, blatantly placing herself between them. They all walked in silence for a while, when Hermoine ventured the question that Harry dreaded most of all.

"Are... are you going to stay with your Aunt and Uncle this summer Harry?"

Harry's spirits had started to head in a downwards spiral at the mention of his Aunt and Uncle. He hated them both. He was forced to spend the summer with them every year because he had no other place to go. He had already asked Ron if it would be all right if he stayed a while with his family during summer, and the answer was negative. Ron's family was going on a vacation and they simply didn't have the room for him to stay.

Harry sighed and started to walk slower, dreading the walk towards his already visible Uncle who had his arms crossed, and was looking down his nose at all the people who passed him by. "Yeah... I haven't got anywhere else to stay. I'm stuck with them again this year – who knows, maybe this year will be different. Maybe this year they'll notice me or something..."

Ron shot Hermoine a look that caused her ears to go slightly pink and she diverted her eyes from him and instead looked at the ground.

"I can ask my mum again if you can come with us if you'd like Harry." Ron offered. He knew how upset the Dursley's made Harry. They never gave him birthday presents, nor let him do anything that would be remotely fun. Harry was stuck looking after his Uncle, Aunt, and cousin all summer.

"Nah, I know you don't have the room for me. It's all right – I'll manage. Maybe I'll owl Seamus or something and see if I can't spend some time with him. If not, I can always go to the Leaky Cauldron for a while. Don't see how that could hurt me..." Harry said looking sadly at the Hogwarts Express.

"Urhm... Harry? Why don't you come with me for the summer? I'm sure that my parents would let you come, and, and I'm sure that your Uncle would be delighted to not have to see you for the summer!" Hermoine offered she clearly felt bad for bringing up the subject of the summer.

Harry was taken aback by her sudden offer. "Err... I'd love that Hermoine you know I would... but I wouldn't want to just barge in on your family for summer. That's kind of rude – and last minute-"Harry looked at Ron who looked slightly uncomfortable with the idea. "-I'll be fine at home. I'll owl you though if it starts to become too much though. I promise." Harry took her hand in his, "Thank-you for the offer though." Harry smiled and squeezed her hand.

She smiled and nodded her head, slowly looking towards the ground as she did so. Ron put his arm around Hermoine's waist and smiled at Harry. "If you want, we're getting back a couple of weeks before school starts – you can come to my place for the last couple weeks of summer." He smiled even bigger this time, as he knew that Harry would gladly accept.

"Sure! That would be awesome! Thanks for the offer. I'll tell Uncle Vernon as soon as I see him-" at that moment, Harry looked to his right to see his uncle standing over him in a huff.

"Tell me what boy?"

"Oh, um... Ron just asked me to stay at his place the last couple weeks of summer holidays. So I was wondering if it would be alright if I went." Harry smiled. Both Ron and Hermoine knew that he would go even if his Uncle objected to the idea.

Vernon looked down his nose at the redhead, and sighed. "Yes, yes... whatever. Now get your things, and say goodbye to your-" Vernon scoffed and proceeded in plain view to look Hermoine and Ron up and down with an upturned lip barely visible from underneath his mustache "-friends. Petunia and Dudley are waiting in the car. Get a move on we don't have all day!"

Harry nodded and watched his uncle waddle away. Harry looked at Ron and walked over to him with his arms open. Ron gratefully accepted the hug, smacking Harry on the back quite hard. Harry winced against the pain but didn't let anyone see his face. "Well then. See you soon Ron." Ron nodded. Harry then walked over to Hermoine and gently took her in his arms smiling. "Thank-you again for the offer. You've no clue how much it meant to me." He whispered in her ear, clearly not wanting Ron to hear the comment. She smiled as he kissed her cheek.

Harry walked back to his trunk and Hedwig's cage, gathered everything up, and offered one last smile to his friends. "See you guys soon then. Remember to owl me!" He kept smiling and waved as best he could with his hand, which in turn shook Hedwig's cage around noisily. Ron and Hermoine laughed in perfect unison with each other and waved back.



This year's summer was a long hot one. They hadn't had a summer as humid as this in a large number of years. Harry was thankful that Vernon had let him have his window open during the nights. He claimed that he 'May not like you Harry, but I'm not barbaric!" Figuring he was doing the world a great favor to let Harry have his window open at night so he wouldn't find a boy boiled to death the next morning.

There was still 2 weeks left until Harry would be able to leave the Dursley's house and go to Ron's. He was counting down the days on his calendar. Each day passed, earned a giant black X.

Harry was working on his summer homework, sitting in a pair of shorts he bought in Hogsmede and a simple white wife beater when Hedwig flew through the window bringing a nice breeze with her as she settled on the back of Harry's chair.

"Oh hello Hedwig! I was beginning to think that you wouldn't ever come back to me." He cooed at her. She hooted back with appreciation and lovingly nipped at his finger. She hooted softly when Harry had failed to notice the piece of parchment tied to her leg. "Oh, sorry..." He sighed as he untied the parchment. "Wonder who this is from..."

The writing on the front belonged to Draco. But why would Draco be sending him messages? Granted Harry and Draco had become friends last year, simply because they both lost the energy to constantly throw insults at each other. Harry thought it hard to imagine that Draco had tired of insulting Harry – something that could pass as a hobby. Harry sighed as he opened the parchment.

"Potter,

How's the summer going? Hope the muggles's aren't being too nice to you. (Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin Harry thought) Anyway, I hope that it isn't too hot where you are – it's bloody boiling at my house. I wouldn't wish this weather on anyone – no matter who it was.

Since last year we've become friends – that sounds weird hey? Anyway, there were a few nights – as you would know, when we were sitting alone by the lake and just talking... I was wondering if there was anything more to those silences that happened when we were just you know – looking at each other. I'm not a poof – I get girls all the time, (Harry smiled at this, knowing that Draco was covering for himself. He even does it when he writes.) Just so you know. What I wanted to know was if you... erm... felt something or whatever you would call it. All I wanted to say was that I didn't feel anything and I didn't want you to get the wrong idea about me. You know, since I'm not a poof and all. Err... Yeah.

Anyways – hope your doing okay, and all that friendship bull. Write back.

Draco"

Harry smiled as he put down the parchment. It was common knowledge that Harry was gay. He was caught last year in a very compromising position with another sixth year student named Cole when they thought that everyone was out at Hogsmede. Harry was glad that the person who caught them was Ron – at that time, it was a big deal. If it had been anyone else, Harry always thought that life at Hogwarts would be a lot different. But, the news spread. Not by Ron, but by Cole. And soon enough everyone knew. It didn't seem to matter to anyone else that Harry was gay, it seemed to already be known, – this just put a seal on the rumor. Girls still threw themselves at the raven-haired boy, knowing full well that he didn't swing that way. Ron decided it was because of Harry's "brilliant green eyes, dashing looks, smashing body, and sexy hair." That joke between them never went any further. But Ron always bugged Harry about it every now and then.

Harry picked up a new quill and began to write Draco back.

"Draco,

Life here is as good as it can be. The muggles's aren't nice to me – that should live up to your expectations I suppose? Yeah, the weather is hot, and it pains me greatly that you wouldn't ever want to wish something horrible like the weather for instance, on someone else! What has happened to you Draco? You've gone soft.

Regarding the nights down by the lake... No I don't really recall 'feeling anything' for you. I know you're not a poof, but wouldn't one night with me be splendid?! Hah!! Just kidding Draco, don't get your knickers in a twist. I don't think any different of you Draco now than I did before. Don't rush to conclusions. How long has that burning question been hanging in your mind?

I'm doing fine – hope you are as well and 'all that friendship bull. And please, since we're friends now – call me Harry, Mr. Potter if you're nasty. Haha! Couldn't resist, sorry.

Harry"

Harry folded up the letter and placed it inside his desk. Hedwig hooted at him as if asking, "You don't think I'm strong enough to fly again?"

"Oh alright Hedwig. Here you go." Harry said as he tied the parchment to her leg. He pet her head and smiled. "Be safe."

((Let me know what you think of the first Chapter... be kind! ;;;))